The alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, valued at over Rs 3,000 crore, has seen a new development with Chaitanya, son of prominent Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, being named as an accused. The Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offence Wing claims Chaitanya received a personal share ranging from Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore from the illicit operations. This accusation is contained within the seventh supplementary chargesheet filed, part of a comprehensive 3,800-page document. To date, eight chargesheets have been filed in this extensive probe.
The investigation suggests Chaitanya Baghel actively participated in the establishment and protection of an extortion syndicate operating within the excise department during his father’s tenure as Chief Minister. According to the chargesheet, he was involved in managing the laundered money and received his significant financial share through various firms associated with liquor businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon. The funds were reportedly laundered via banking channels and invested in real estate through family-owned businesses. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate had taken Chaitanya into custody, asserting that the scam inflicted considerable losses on the state treasury while benefiting the perpetrators.